Capitals and Hershey Bears forward Nathan Walker is an impending Unrestricted Free Agent come July 1st. Currently, Walker is in Australia, acting as an ambassador for the 2019 Ice Hockey Classic, a hockey showcase that seeks to raise awareness and funds for the STOPCONCUSSIONS Foundation in association with Brain Injury Australia.
Logan Swinkels, from Puck Yeah NZ, took time out ahead of the showcase to speak to Walker about everything from his position as ambassador, his experience in the NHL, as well as what he likes to do in his downtime. But it was Walker’s comments about his UFA status that proved most interesting about his intentions once July 1st hits, and his future ambitions.
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With NHL free agency coming up, you’re coming into a newer period of your career, coming in as a UFA. How are you feeling heading into July 1st?
Nathan Walker: Yeah, it’s going to be interesting. Washington have been really good to me, and we’ll see where that goes. But it’s going to be interesting to see what happens then.
Is that your number one hope that you would return to Washington? You’ve been in that system for six years, they’ve obviously helped you a lot with your development. Were you more keeping your options open in this time?
Nathan Walker: Like I said before, they’ve always been good to me. So I’ve got no reason to not go back there. Obviously, I want to play in the NHL, and whatever organization will give me the best chance to do that.
With many of the roster decisions for the Capitals’ 2019-20 season yet to be made, and several players entering either RFA or UFA status, it will remain to be seen whether Walker will have the opportunity that he desires with the team that drafted him 89th overall in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.
Headline photo: Puck Yeah NZ
